High Intensity Interval Training Versus Endurance Training

Which one is better? Before we answer that question, let’s define each type of training. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is any workout that alternates between periods of intense physical activity and periods of less intense activity or even rest.

On the other hand, endurance training is more of a steady effort spread out over a longer period of time. Both can provide an improvement in fitness.

High Intensity Interval Training

For example, a good HIIT workout could be running as fast as you can for 1 minute and then walking for two minutes. Keep up this three-minute routine for 15 minutes. In 15 minutes, this routine burns more calories than running on a treadmill for an hour!

And it gets better; a 2011 study done by the American College or Sports Medicine found that just 2 weeks of HITT improves your aerobic capacity as much as 6 to 8 weeks of endurance training.

In addition to improving your aerobic capacity, HITT also:

• burns more calories during your workout than with endurance training
• keeps burning more calories up to 24 hours after training
• develops your heart better
• does not require any equipment
• preserves muscle and burns fat instead

Since the concept of HIIT is maximum effort for a short duration of time, followed by a recovery period and this cycle repeated over a set period, you can do it anywhere.

The downside of HIIT is that you should not do it over 2 to 3 times per week as most people need a day or two in-between to fully recover.

Endurance Training 

When it comes to burning calories, you can get the same benefit from endurance training as you do from HIIT – it just takes more time to burn the same number of calories. For example, an endurance version of the run/walk HIIT routine above would be to run at a constant pace for an hour or more; long and steady verses short and intense.

Because with endurance training you are constantly in the aerobic zone so your cumulative energy expenditure is greater during long cardio sessions than it is during 10 to 20 minute interval high intensity training sessions. Consequently, if burning fat and losing weight are your immediate main fitness objectives, then endurance training is better than high intensity interval training. However, HIIT will help you keep the weight off better than endurance training.

Besides the fitness advantages above, due to an increased metabolism, endurance training also provide the following benefits:

• improves cardio health
• strengthens joints
• increases respiratory system efficiency
• increases mental acuity
• increases stamina

If time is a scare commodity in your lifestyle, endurance training may not be for you as it does require a large and frequent commitment of time, whereas HIIT requires a shorter and less frequent time commitment. Regardless, working out under either venue is much better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips.

Additional reading:
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How Long ?	How Long Should Your HIIT Workout Routine Last?

How Long Should Your HIIT Workout Routine Last?

HIIT workouts appeal to all kinds of people. There are those looking for the most effective way to burn calories and lose weight, those who want to push themselves through a fitness plateau, and others who just like a challenge! But no matter how experienced you are, and why you’re doing it, it’s important not to overdo things.

How Often Should You Perform High Intensity Interval Training Workouts?

Experts agree that you shouldn’t be aiming to perform High Intensity Interval Training  workouts every single day. Most argue that two or three times a week is enough to see results, as long as you’re doing it properly. This doesn’t mean that you won’t exercise at all on the other days, it just won’t be so high intensity.

If you are a complete beginner, you’ll want to make sure to include some full rest days every week. You could also go for a light walk, but you won’t want to overdo the cardio even if it is at a lesser intensity.

Choosing specific days for your HIIT workouts and sticking to them each week will make it more likely you’ll stick to your fitness goals. So pick specific days and mark them in your calendar!

How Long Should Each Individual Workout Be?

There is no definitive answer to how long your HIIT workouts should be. Some studies have shown that even three minute workouts, three times a week can produce benefits. However, most people aim for more than this.

Most people will perform a HIIT Workout for around 15-20 minutes at a time. This is comprised of short bursts of very intense activity – such as 30 seconds of sprinting – followed by periods of less intense exercise – like 30 minutes of walking. If you’re a beginner, though, you may want to extend the less intense periods, for example walking for 60 or 90 seconds before doing another 30 second run. This will mean your workout lasts longer.

Remember, HIIT training is hard on the body. When you’re in your intense period of 30 seconds, it’s really intense, even if it sounds short. This is why HIIT workouts are not as long as traditional cardio workouts.

No matter how long your HIIT Training workouts are, always incorporate enough time for your warm up and cool down. This is essential to avoid injury! It’s also important not to push yourself, especially if you’re a beginner and aren’t very fit. In fact, if you don’t already have a good fitness level then it may be worth trying traditional cardio workouts for a few weeks before attempting HIIT.

INSANITY DVD Workout – Base Kit

INSANITY DVD Workout – Base Kit